In June 2010, the Common Core State Standards Initiative released Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects and Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. The goal of these shared national standards? To identify for all stakeholders the knowledge and skills that students must acquire to succeed in college, careers, and the global economy.

Now that the Common Core standards are coming to 43 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, it is essential to understand their content and implications. Understanding Common Core State Standards tells you everything you need to know about the standards, including

The goals and criteria of the standards and why they are a promising alternative to the old standards-based education model;

The organization and key aspects of the two overarching sets of standards;

The benefits of implementing the standards, including intentional instruction, a greater pool of resources, increased collegiality and professionalism, customized learning and multiple pathways, and a more consistent, equitable learning experience;

What schools can do to transition to the new standards; and

How the common state assessment systems are being developed to provide interactive, enhanced test items; produce specific, timely test results; and provide an indication of students' readiness for college or career.

This book is an invitation to think about the possibilities that the Common Core standards offer for strengthening teaching and learning across the United States—and what you can do to make the most of this opportunity for change.

"[This publication] offers a cogent overview of the development of the Common Core and how its adoption impacts teachers and students. With easy-to-digest, well organized chapters in a pamphlet-sized format, Kendall's guide is a must-read primer."

—Excerpt originally appeared in School Library Journal's enewsletter Curriculum Connections.
Reprinted with permission from School Library Journal.

"Everyone who's grappling with the common core should grab a copy of John Kendall's short and admirably clear Understanding Common Core State Standards… . It's not the kind of common core ABCs you'll find elsewhere. Instead, Kendall gives us the underlying logic behind the CC—why we need it, how it's different from previous standards—based education guidelines, what it aims to do, and how. The book is like a blueprint showing a house's architectural structure."

—Marc Aronson, Professor, Rutgers University School of Communication and Information
New Brunswick, N.J.
Published in School Library Journal’s newsletter Extra Helping.
Reprinted with permission from School Library Journal.

Aboutthe Author

JOHN S. KENDALLis Senior Director in Research at Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) in Denver, Colorado. Having joined McREL in 1988, Mr. Kendall conducts research and development activities related to academic standards. He directs a technical assistance unit that provides standards-related services to schools, districts, and states and to national and international organizations.